Son of Rambow

Time Out says

4 out of 5 stars

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Users say
(65)

4 out of 5 stars

Time Out says

4 out of 5 stars

Garth Jennings’s last film, ‘The Hitch-hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’, had visual imagination to burn, but was less sure-footed when it came to plot and character. It’s a pleasure, then, to find that his follow-up shows just as much wit and verve in its production design, while also succeeding as storytelling: ‘Son of Rambow’ is a schoolboy yarn with a bracing emotional honesty that packs a real kick.

Jennings takes us to the early ’80s Home Counties suburbia of his youth for the story of two mismatched pre-teens. Will (Bill Milner) is the sheltered son of a strict religious family, whose father has died in the Falklands and has never even watched TV; Lee (Will Poulter) is the tougher wide-boy, a latchkey kid who bullies and then befriends Will as they embark on a homemade VHS opus, after seeing a pirate copy of ‘First Blood’.

Meanwhile, a group of French exchange students descend on the school, including one particular guy who constitutes a New Wave all of his own. Will is a keen doodler, and his sketches burst out across the countryside in playful CGI, but there’s also great entertainment in the boys’ lo-tech Heath-Robinson production plans.

Backyard remakes are very much of the moment – think Michel Gondry’s ‘Be Kind Rewind’ – but ‘Son of Rambow’ integrates its slapstick genre pastiche into a thoughtful story about peer pressure, neglect and yearning. Both Milner and Poulter are terrific; their performances, along with a keen eye for the indignities of the playground, help keep things the right side of sentimentality.

A really great film, made me laugh countless times, especially the french kid. I dont understand why some of the comments here are being stupid by writing, "didnt make me laugh", you have to understand that this wasn't just comdey, but drama as well....and I enjoyed!!

This film is the funniest I've seen in a long time. It isn't obvious, in your face pie-in-face comedy - it's much more genuine and funnier as a result. The French kid in particular made me crease. Go watch this film.

This film is the funniest I've seen in a long time. It isn't obvious, in your face pie-in-face comedy - it's much more genuine and funnier as a result. The French kid in particular made me crease. Go watch this film.

I thought this film was excellent. The kids' performances were touching, and I found myself laughing out loud several times :D I like American films as well as British ones, but it was nice to see a film about school kids which wasn't set in America, very refreshing.
Just a note though, to usman khawaja - the british countryside CAN look glorious in summer, but the England I live in has a lot of overcast days as well (probably MORE overcast days than sunny ones) - I wouldn't say that the countryside not being perfect is a fault of the film. It's more like an accurate representation of Britain. It doesn't all look like a postcard :)

I thought this film was excellent. The kids' performances were touching, and I found myself laughing out loud several times :D I like American films as well as British ones, but it was nice to see a film about school kids which wasn't set in America, very refreshing.
Just a note though, to usman khawaja - the british countryside CAN look glorious in summer, but the England I live in has a lot of overcast days as well (probably MORE overcast days than sunny ones) - I wouldn't say that the countryside not being perfect is a fault of the film. It's more like an accurate representation of Britain. It doesn't all look like a postcard :)

A sweet, and in places sad, well-directed and well-acted film, just manages to stay clear of sentimentality. Some nice eighties references for old folks like me :-). But definitely not an action movie!

Go and see this film. Its full of joy and laughter with a good helping of slightly (but not over) sentimental sadness. One of the best feelgood movies for a long time. As for those idiots who didn't get it (yes you YANKEEHEEHEE and Usman). You have no soul.

Go and see this film. Its full of joy and laughter with a good helping of slightly (but not over) sentimental sadness. One of the best feelgood movies for a long time. As for those idiots who didn't get it (yes you YANKEEHEEHEE and Usman). You have no soul.

This film was everything you'd want for quality entertainment. I went along with my 8 year old expecting another dreary kids movie, but found myself lost in the quality acting, storyline and emotions of my own childhood. The best film I've seen for a long time! A must see for 2008!!!

This film was everything you'd want for quality entertainment. I went along with my 8 year old expecting another dreary kids movie, but found myself lost in the quality acting, storyline and emotions of my own childhood. The best film I've seen for a long time! A must see for 2008!!!

I think this film was one of the best i have seen all year, which trust me is a lot! Its hilarious and really moving and anyone who hasn't seen it, i would go and see it as soon as possible, hopefully you wont regret it! My fave part was when Will fell in the river and Lee had to go and fish him out (hee hee... Fish dont ya get it???... anyway) that part was really moving. You must go and see this film... ITS GREAT!! And it appeals to both Adults and Children!

I think this film was one of the best i have seen all year, which trust me is a lot! Its hilarious and really moving and anyone who hasn't seen it, i would go and see it as soon as possible, hopefully you wont regret it! My fave part was when Will fell in the river and Lee had to go and fish him out (hee hee... Fish dont ya get it???... anyway) that part was really moving. You must go and see this film... ITS GREAT!! And it appeals to both Adults and Children!

i am here to tell all those yanks that are postiong bullshit about the films they havent even seen to get a life and stop pikin on the english !!!!! ive seen aload of yanky films recently and to b honest AMERICAN FILM= SHIT britain have made sum wicked films recently so bugger off !!!!!!!

i am here to tell all those yanks that are postiong bullshit about the films they havent even seen to get a life and stop pikin on the english !!!!! ive seen aload of yanky films recently and to b honest AMERICAN FILM= SHIT britain have made sum wicked films recently so bugger off !!!!!!!

i really was expecting a witty ,pleasant comic spoof of first blood ,instead i saw a very dull drama of two english kids in the confines of english summer in rural england ,which was anything if not dull and unpleasing to the eye as well .
unfortunately bill and will are the 2 protagonists who come together to make this mirthless comedy with a camera in the most implausible plot ,which is so subtle in humour it ceases to be a comedy or even funny ,the makers have unintentionally made it boringly tasteful and as such tasteless as it is very unappetising due to its underwritten script .
bill is the young actor from this is england and WILL is the son of rambow ,the story is impassive and indulgent and never strikes a chord ,leaving at least me bored out of my wits .
the english rural schools are much more fun as was first blood,when it came out in eighties but this is a damp squid , ST.TRINIANS was much better than this dreary movie ,and the english contryside looks glorious in summer unlike the dull cinematography in this silly effort which is so regrettably lacklustre .
this is as bad as cottage and that was awful,i will not dream or even have a nightmare where i will expose myself to this childish folly about some silly children running around like headless chicken in a moronic script .
the opening sequence where bill bullies willy was perhaps the best executed ,and the scene where they try to film a demented gentlemen in a nursing home as a victim being rescued by son of rambo was pathetic and tastelessly bad ,as well as being totally daft .
which can easily be said about the rest of the uneven movie itself .
i hope no kids follow in the footsteps of these two hilly billies .
RAM-BOO

Firstly, i quite liked this film (it was a bit of lighthearted fun with the odd issue thrown in) and my children loved it.
remember that this section is supposed to be a REVIEW of the film and not a section for telling people that you intend to go! nobody cares if you are going to see it - ok!
anyone who has been and seen the film, could help if they said specifically what was good or bad about it.
message to the Modorator - Please only post reviews.

To add to my previous comment, after reading some of the other reviews - there is nothing intelligent about the writing, as one comment states.The film was nonsense from the start and it didn't improve.

I took my 9 year old twin sons to see this film and we all thought it was the most boring film we had ever seen. This film should not be on the big screen - more for home viewing. We ended up leaving before the film ended as it was so bad. I don't know why all the other reviews recommend the film. Don't waste your money!

Great film! It's all about what's important in life. The stifling religious community doesn't have it. The rich family with the bullying older brother doesn't have it. The French poser doesn't have it. Will and Lee discover it in the power of the 'blood brother' relationship and all that entails. It's a powerful friendship that in the end, transforms the families of both boys. I wonder how many in the audience will realize that 'blood-covenant' itself is a 'God-thing', which wins out over both religianity and materialism every time!

Great film! It's all about what's important in life. The stifling religious community doesn't have it. The rich family with the bullying older brother doesn't have it. The French poser doesn't have it. Will and Lee discover it in the power of the 'blood brother' relationship and all that entails. It's a powerful friendship that in the end, transforms the families of both boys. I wonder how many in the audience will realize that 'blood-covenant' itself is a 'God-thing', which wins out over both religianity and materialism every time!